Electroplating barrel



Jan. 14, 1969 A. LAZARO 3,421,992

ELECTROPLAT ING BARREL Filed June 24, 1965 Sheet of 5 Ooooooouc couououua aaoonuuooo ncouoaaano 9 o o b o co o o o o o e a o u o n o a o o o e o o a o a a og u n n o 6 O O O O a 0 O 6 0 O O Q N 0 coo BQQ FIG \NVENTOR ANTON LAZARO ATTORNEYS Jan 14, 1969 A. LAZARO 3,421,992

ELECTROPLATING BARREL Filed June 24, 1965 Sheet 2 of 5 INVENTOR ANTON LAZARO ATTORNEYS Jan. 14, 1969 A. LAZARO 3,

ELECTROPLAI ING BARREL Filed June 24, 1965 Sheet 3 of 5 15b B-x F166 INVENTOR ANTON LAZARO ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,421,992 ELECTROPLATING BARREL Anton Lazaro, 2022 N. California Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60647 Filed June 24, 1965, Ser. No. 466,789 U.S. Cl. 204213 11 Claims Int. Cl. C23b /78 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Electroplating barrels radially divided into compartments. Centrally located sealed cathodes are electrically connected to each of the compartments through flexible contact extensions which protrude through the means sealing the central cathodes.

This invention relates to an apparatus for electroplating, and more particularly to an apparatus of the type in which a plurality of different articles may be placed in a container and immersed in a plating solution while the container is rotated to accomplish plating without commingling the articles.

In presently known electroplating devices, plating different type articles with a single barrel type device usually necessitates the commingling of the articles. Of course, when different type articles are commingled and they are small, this leads to difiiculties when sorting them out after plating.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an electroplating apparatus which has a new and improved electroplating barrel that enables plating different type articles in a single barrel without commingling said articles.

When plating different type articles in a manner so that they are not comrningled, it has been a problem to design a device which does not require a plurality of cathode contactors.

It istherefore a related object of this invention to provide a new and improved electroplating barrel which can plate several types of different articles without commingling the articles with a replaceable single cathode contacting member.

It is an important feature of my invention to provide a multi-chambered barrel which can be used for electroplating different type articles without commingling them.

It is still another important object of my invention to provide a multi-chambered electroplating barrel having a replaceable central cathode contacting member which can be used to plate different type articles in the chambers thereof by being located centrally with respect to said chambers.

It is still another feature of my invention to provide a central cathode contacting member in combination with an electroplating barrel having a plurality of chambers therein for plating different types of articles without commingling them wherein the central cathode contacting member is insulated from the chambers and has electrical contact therewith by means of contacting elements associated with each chamber whereby the central cathode contacting member can be easily replaced.

Other and further objects, advantages and features of my invention will become more readily apparent in the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing an electroplating apparatus with a preferred embodiment of the electroplating barrel of this invention;

3,421,992 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, one of the wall means 13 thereof being shown removed from the barrel;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational View of one of the wall means of my electroplating barrel; and

FIG. 6 is a half-sectional view of the electroplating barrel of my invention.

Referring generally to the figures in the drawings, a new and improved electroplating barrel is shown in combination with a self-contained portable electroplating apparatus which includes a motor associated with a gear train to drive the barrel. The electroplating barrel is multi-chambered and has a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along the barrel. The radially extended partitions have certain apex angles therebetween to define radial extending chambers therebetween. The chambers have an apex at the inner ends of the partitions and have gradually increasing volumes at the outer ends of said partitions in accordance with the apex angles formed between the partitions. A central cathode contacting member extends longitudinally along the inside of the barrel at the apex of the radially extending chambers and has electrical contact with each of the radial extended chambers in order that parts disposed in each of the chambers can be plated therewith. Removable wall means are associated with the outer ends of the radially extending partitions to enable parts to be conveniently deposited and withdrawn from each of the chambers without commingling the parts.

Referring more specifically to FIG. 1, my improved electroplating barrel 10 is illustrated in combination with a portable electroplating device 11. The electroplating barrel may be preferably made of a chemically inert material such as plastic.

From a more detailed view of my barrel 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that my barrel is a multi-chambered barrel which preferably has a pair of polygonal shaped end plates 12 in opposing relation. Radially extending partitions 15 extend longitudinally along the barrel 10 and have their opposing sides contiguous with and attached to a respective end plate to define the radially extending chambers 16 therebetween in accordance with certain apex angles 0 therebetween. The partitions 15 have an inner end 15a and an outer end 15b; and the chambers have an apex at the innerends 15a of the partitions with gradually increasing volumes at the outer ends of the partitions in accordance with the apex angles 0 between the partitions.

Rib portions 17 extend longitudinally along the barrel contiguous with and interposed between each of the inner ends 15a of the radially extending partitions 15 at the apex of the radially extending chambers 16. As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the rib portions 17 cooperate to define a longitudinal opening on the inside thereof at substantially the central axis of the barrel 10.

A central cathode contacting member 19 is received in the longitudinal opening of the rib portions and extension contacting means 21 which protrude through the rib portions make electrical contact between arts in the chambers and the central cathode contacting means. The extension contacting means 21 are preferably studs having rings 21a formed on one end thereof and threads 21b at the other end thereof so that they can be threaded into the ribs and brought into contact with the central cathode contacting member 19 and can have contacting chains 23 attached to the rings thereof to provide better contact with parts to be plated. The extension contacting means 21 are disposed in each of the chambers to provide cathode contacting means for the parts disposed in each of the chambers for plating.

Wall means 13 are removably associated with the outer ends 15b of the radially extending partitions 15 and with the end plates to define the chambers 16 therebetween. The wall means of course are preferably shown as being removable but it is only necessary for this invention that they are adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn from the individual chambers. The wall means form a polygonal relationship with each other when they are associated with the electroplating barrel and they are preferably perforated as are the partitions to allow the electro lating fluid to circulate through the barrel.

Also it will be seen that the removable wall means 13 are retained by the opposing end plates 12 by being received in the grooves 12a of the end plates and by having resilient retaining means 46 placed in the grooves 12a as illustrated in FIG. 6.

From FIG. 1, it can be seen that the barrel 10 is horizontally disposed in the electroplating apparatus 11 by means of bearings 10a and it is interposed between the parallel side members 56, 57. On one side of the barrel, the bearing 10a is fixedly attached to a gear 48 which forms part of a gear train that comprises the gear 50 and the pinion gear 52 which is rotatably driven by a motor 54. The gear 50 is journalled on the hub member 55 which is fixedly attached to the side member 56. The other side of the barrel has a contacting shaft 34 extending from the center cathode conductor 19 through the end plate 12 and the side plate 57 to make a rotating contact with the conductor 32a of the cable 32 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, a rotating contact mechanism is illustrated to show a preferred embodiment for charging the central cathode conductor 19 with current from the insulated cathode cable 32 which is electrically connectable to a cathode power source. The revolving contact 25 comprises bearing means 44 and sealing means 36 having the contacting shaft 34 protruding therethrough in a completely sealed manner. A replaceable contact shaft 27 receives the tip of the contacting shaft 34 and is seated in a contact ring 29. The contact ring 29 is housed by a bushing 30 which has a contact aperture 30 in communication with an aperture 29a in the contact ring in order that the conductor 32a of the insulated cathode cable 32 can protrude therethrough and make contact with the replaceable contact shaft 27. To hold this arrangement together, a cap nut 38 is provided in combination with a pair of washers 42 and 43 which have a pressure spring 40 interposed therebetween. To completely house the revolving contact in the bushing 30, a threaded plug 31 is assembled in the end of the bushing 30. With my rotating contact means, electric current can be supplied to the central cathode conductor 19 while it is being rotated. Another advantage is that the replaceable contact shaft 27 acts as a bearing means and protective device by allowing the contact shaft 34 to rotate therein. Also, the replaceable contact shaft, being stationary, provides a firm and positive contact for the conductor 32a.

The insulated cathode cable 32 is fastened to frame 26 by means of a terminal 59 and electric energy is furnished to the terminal by an outside source not shown. The electric energy can be transmitted to the terminal 59 by means of the hOOks 61 or the notched horizontal bracing members 63 being placed in contact with a bus bar (not shown) disposed over the electroplating solution.

To assemble the barrel 10, the radially extending partitions 15 are attached to the opposing end plates 12 and have the rib members 17 disposed at the apex near the inner end 15a of the partition. When said rib members and radially extending partitions are associated with each other and fixedly attached to opposing end plates 12, the central cathode conductor 19 is received by this central opening formed on the inside of the ribs and the extension contact means 21 are threaded into the ribs and brought into contact with the central cathode conductor 19. Thereafter, the removable wall means 13 are associated with the outer ends of the radially extending partitions 15 to form the radially extending chambers 16.

The operation of the electroplating apparatus is substantially like that of former barrel type electroplating apparatuses with the exception of having a multi-chambered barrel. The barrel 10 is supported by side members 56, 57 when it is removed from the electroplating solution. When it is removed from the electroplating solution, the parts may be added and removed from any of the chambers of the barrel 10 without any damage being occasioned from resting the barrel on the ground. To load the barrel 10, the wall means 15 are removed and a supply of metal articles is placed in each of the chambers. Then the wall means are secured to the barrel 10 while the barrel is supported on the frame 26 by the side members 56, 57. The apparatus may then be lifted and placed with its hook shaped connectors 61 or notched horizontal bracing members 63 onto a bus bar which can be disposed so that when the electroplating apparatus is suspended therefrom, the electroplating barrel 10 will be immersed in a tank containing electroplating solution. The motor 54 is then energized to cause the barrel to be rotated at a slow speed in a certain direction. Due to the polygonal nature of each of the chambers 16 of the barrel, the articles to be electroplated will be caused to tumble over and over in the solution While they are in electrical contact with the extension contact means 21 and contact chains 23. During this time, the electroplating solution freely circulates through the barrel through the perforations in the wall means 13 and the radially extending partitions 15 and the parts to be electroplated do not escape into the solution.

Thus, it will be seen that I have invented a new and improved electroplating barrel for an electroplating appaartus which fulfills the objects of my invention in a remarkably unexpected fashion. The barrel, although illustrated preferably with a portable electroplating apparatus, embodies principles which are universally applicable to all sorts of electroplating devices employing barrels. With the barrel illustrated and described, it is apparent that several different type parts can be electroplated in the multi-chambered barrel without commingling them While utilizing a central cathode connector that is replaceable and does not become corroded with electroplating solution due to the fact that it is fully insulated. It should be realized that although the central cathode connector is fully insulated, the principles of this invention could be employed in a barrel which omits the rib portions 17 to bring the central cathode contactor in electrical contact with each of the chambers. Thus, while I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the precise features of the construction set forth but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambered electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel and having certain apex angles therebetween to define radially extending chambers therebetween,

said partitions having an inner and an outer end,

said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

a central cathode contacting member extending longitudinally along the inside of said barrel proximately located with respect to said inner ends of said partitions at the apex of said radially extending chambers, said barrel formed so that said central cathode contacting member has individual and simultaneous electrical contact with each of said chambers in order that parts disposed in each of said chambers can be plated therewith, and

wall means associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions and said end plates to define said chambers,

said wall means being adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers.

2. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambered electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel and having certain apex angles therebetween to define radially extending chambers therebetween,

said partitions having an inner and an outer end,

said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

a substantially sealed central cathode contacting member extending longitudinally along the inside of said barrel but isolated from the electroplating fluid,

said member proximately located with respect to said inner ends of said partitions at the apex of said radially extending chambers,

said central cathode contacting member having electrical contact means extending through the seal into each of said chambers in order that parts disposed in each of said chambers can be plated therewith, and

Wall means associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions, and

said end plates to define said chambers,

said wall means being adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers,

said wall means and partitions having openings therein for enabling the electroplating fluid to circulate through said barrel.

3. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambered electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel and having certain apex angles therebetween to define radially extending chambers therebetween,

said partitions having an inner and an outer end, said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

a central cathode contacting member extending longitudinally along the inside of said barrel proximately located with respect to said inner ends of said partitions at the apex of said radially extending chambers,

means for substantially sealing said cathode from electroplating fluid within said barrel,

said central cathode contacting member having electrical contact with each of said chambers in order that parts disposed in each of said chambers can be plated therewith, and

wall means removably associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions and said end plates to define said chambers whereby different parts can be selectively deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers without commingling said parts.

4. A portable electroplating apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said wall means are positionable with respect to each other to form a polygon.

5. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambered electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel, said partitions having opposing sides that are contiguous with and attached to a respective end plate to define radially extending chambers therebetween in accordance with certain apex angles therebetween, said partitions having an inner and an outer end, said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

rib portions extending longitudinally along said barrel on the inside thereof, said rib portions being contiguous and interposed between each of said inner ends of said radially extending partitions at the apex of said radially extending chambers, said rib portions cooperating to define a longitudinal opening on the inside thereof,

a central cathode contacting member received in the longitudinal opening of said rib portions,

flexible extension contacting means attached to said rib portions to make contact with said central cathode, said flexible extension contacting means being disposed in each of said chambers to provide cathode means for parts disposed in each of said chambers for plating and wall means associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions and said end plates to define said chambers, said wall means being adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers.

6. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambered electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel, said partitions having opposing sides that are contiguous with and attached to a respective end plate to define radially extending chambers therebetween in accordance with certain apex angles therebetween, said partitions having an inner and an outer end, said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

rib portions extending longitudinally along said barrel on the inside thereof, said rib portions being contiguous and interposed between each of said inner ends of said radially extending partitions at the apex of said radially extending chambers, said rib portions cooperating to define a longitudinal opening on the inside thereof,

a sealed central cathode contacting member received in the longitudinal opening of said rib portions,

flexible extension contacting members attached to said rib portions to make contact with said central cathode, said flexible extension contacting members being individually disposed in each of said chambers to provide cathode means for parts disposed in each of said chambers for plating, and Wall means associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions and said end plates to define said chambers, said wall means being adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn for each of said chambers, said wall means and partitions having openings therein for enabling electroplating fluid to circulate through said barrel.

7. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambered electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel,

said partitions having opposing sides that are contiguous with and attached to a respective end plate to define radially extending chambers therebetween in accordance with certain apex angles therebetween,

said partitions having an inner and an outer end,

said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

rib portions extending longitudinally along said barrel on the inside thereof,

said rib portions being contiguous and interposed between each of said inner ends of said radially extending chambers,

said rib portions cooperating to define a longitudinal opening on the inside thereof at substantially the central axis of said barrel,

a central cathode contacting member received in the longitudinal opening of said rib portions,

flexible extension contacting members attached to said rib portions to make contact with said central cathode,

said flexible extension contacting members comprising chain means disposed in each of said chambers to provide cathode means for parts disposed in each of said chambers for plating, and

wall means associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions and said end plates to define said chambers,

said wall means being adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers.

8. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambered electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel, said partitions having opposing sides that are contiguous with and at tached to a respective end plate to define radially extending chambers therebetween in accordance with certain apex angles therebetween, said partitions having an inner and an outer end, said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

rib portions extending longitudinally along said barrel on the inside thereof, said rib portions being contiguous and interposed between each of said inner ends of said radially extending partitions at the apex of said radially extending chambers, said rib portions cooperating to define a sealed longitudinal opening on the inside thereof,

a central cathode contacting member received in the longitudinal opening of said rib portions,

extension contacting means protruding through said rib portions to make electrical contact between parts in said chambers and said central cathode, said extension contacting members being disposed in each of said chambers to provide cathode means for parts disposed in each of said chambers for plating and wall means associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions and said end plates to define said chambers, said wall means being adapted to enable parts to be deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers.

9. An electroplating apparatus comprising:

a multichambcrcd electroplating barrel having a pair of end plates in opposing relation,

a plurality of radially extending partitions extending longitudinally along said barrel, said partitions having opposing sides that are contiguous with and attached to a respective end plate to define radially extending chambers therebetween in accordance with certain apex angles therebetween, said partitions having an inner and an outer end, said chambers having an apex at the inner ends of said partitions and having a gradually increasing volume at the outer ends of said partitions which is in accordance with said apex angles,

rib portions extending longitudinally along said barrel on the inside thereof, said rib portions being contiguous and interposed between each of said inner ends of said radially extending partitions at the apex of said radially extending chambers, said rib portions cooperating to define a sealed longitudinal opening on the inside thereof,

a central cathode contacting metnber received in the longitudinal opening of said rib portions,

sealably extension contacting means protruding through said rib portions to make electrical contact between parts in said chambers and said flexible central cathode, said extension contacting members being disposed in each of said chambers to provide cathode means for parts disposed in each of said chambers for plating, and wall means removably associated with said outer ends of said radially extending partitions and said end plates to define said chambers, whereby parts can be selectively deposited and withdrawn from each of said chambers without commingling them.

10. An electroplating apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said wall means are disposed to form a polygon with relation to each other when they are associated with said barrel.

11. An electroplating apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein rotating contacting means is associated with said central contacting member, whereby electric current can be supplied to said central contacting member while said central contacting member rotates.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 857,027 6/1907 Burton 204-213 XR 1,509,534 9/1924 Todd 204-213 1,695,795 12/1928 Belke 204-214 1,790,289 1/1931 Thompson 204-213 3,038,851 6/1962 Jackson 204-213 3,330,753 7/1967 Hepfer 204-2l3 FOREIGN PATENTS 277,128 9/ 1912 Germany.

JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner. W. VAN SISE, A rsistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 259-89 

